Lehigh University
Lehigh University is a public charity based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It is an independent, coeducational university whose work includes teaching, research, and service; its reported grantmaking includes awards to universities and other organizations.
Lehigh University at a glance
In short: Lehigh University gave $8.9M across 48 grants in 2025 (avg $186K), top state Pennsylvania. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $8,926,989
- +26.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 48
- +2.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $185,979
- +24.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $82,571
- Total assets
- $3,464,195,116
- +6.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (7 of 48, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (24% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lehigh University
- Contact
Mailing address: 306 South New Street 451 Suite 451, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Phone: (610) 758-3143
Website: https://lehigh.edu
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Lehigh University funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Carnegie Mellon University ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $6.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
213 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 106 grants of 213 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Pennsylvania (24%), Michigan (13%), Virginia (12%), New York (10%), and Georgia (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Lehigh University open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 48 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $46K; repeat grants $210K. How we count
Medians: $24K first-time, $88K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.7M (2020) to $8.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 48 grants totaling $8.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA | — | $1,198,295 |
| Ohio State University Detroit, MI | — | $1,192,148 |
| University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA | — | $1,089,138 |
| Georgia Tech Research Corp Atlanta, GA | — | $553,834 |
| Bethlehem Economic Development Corp Bethlehem, PA | — | $430,000 |
| Teachers College Columbia University New York, NY | — | $363,350 |
| Cornell University Ithaca, NY | — | $349,742 |
| Regents of the University of California Los Angeles, CA | — | $346,680 |
| Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA | — | $332,329 |
| University of Colorado Dallas, TX | — | $309,291 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,464,195,116 | $840,062,522 | $731,172,334 | $8,926,989 | 48 | $219,895,344 |
| 2024 | $3,269,250,521 | $748,495,878 | $690,327,461 | $7,037,859 | 47 | $152,311,096 |
| 2023 | $3,127,359,714 | $695,392,244 | $633,294,461 | $5,076,570 | 44 | $151,197,537 |
| 2022 | $3,057,301,515 | $713,288,867 | $590,518,652 | $4,686,360 | 42 | $188,713,198 |
| 2021 | $3,151,567,912 | $589,798,748 | $506,971,844 | $2,927,320 | 32 | $157,299,685 |
| 2020 | $2,533,120,795 | $506,773,429 | $524,370,908 | $2,737,148 | 33 | $51,475,298 |
| 2019 | $2,562,395,480 | $550,336,671 | $521,654,535 | $3,041,153 | 30 | $80,226,654 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Lehigh’s stated mission emphasizes research prominence, transferable learning across disciplines, strategic risk-taking, social, environmental, and economic sustainability, partnerships with alumni and communities, and a diverse, inclusive, and financially accessible environment.
Its 2025 grants included universities and research organizations, as well as a Bethlehem economic development organization. For example, Carnegie Mellon University received a grant and describes its mission as creating a transformative educational experience and cultivating a collaborative university community. Georgia Tech Research Corporation, also a recipient, says it supports Georgia Tech research, technical assistance, and economic development. Bethlehem Economic Development describes its purpose as promoting economic development and business growth in Bethlehem.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Lehigh reported 48 grants totaling $8,926,989. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $1,198,295, with a median of $82,570.
The largest reported grants included $1,198,295 to Carnegie Mellon University, $1,192,148 to Ohio State University, $1,089,138 to the University of Virginia, $553,834 to Georgia Tech Research Corporation, and $430,000 to Bethlehem Economic Development Corp. The filing lists Harvard University’s $261,920 grant as being for research.
Lehigh’s research office describes internal grant programs for Lehigh faculty. These include the Faculty Research Grant, which provides up to $6,000, and larger programs for faculty-led research teams. The FRG is limited to eligible Lehigh faculty and supports research not otherwise covered by university resources, external grants, gifts, or endowments. Applications are submitted through Lehigh’s InfoReady portal. For the 2026–27 cycle, only proposals from the arts, humanities, and social sciences are accepted. The Fall 2026 deadline is October 11, 2026.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joseph J. Helble as president and Nathaniel N. Urban as provost. Other listed officers and directors include Kristin Agatone, chief investment officer; Michael D. Gould, director of investments; Frank A. Roth, general counsel and secretary; and Robert A. Flowers, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Lehigh University is led by Joseph J. Helble, President since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 15 of 43 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joseph J. Helble
President
Trustee → President, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$340K (2022) → $1.1M (2025)
Vincent A. Forlenza Jr.
Chairman & Board of Trustees
Trustee → Chairman & Board of Trustees, 2023
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael D. Gould
Director Invest. Officer
Associate Director Invest. Officer → Director Invest. Officer, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$446K (2022) → $696K (2025)
James R. Maida
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Bosland
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark R. Yeager
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarat Sethi
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michele M. Scaringella
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kendall B. O'Brien
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary T. Kush
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew D. Freed
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher M. Scott
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric A. Clement
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frederick R. Coleman
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra L. Stelling
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Corey L. Harrison
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erika J. Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James H. Garrett Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul A. Camuti
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra L. Denton
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher D. Hite
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Faith R. Glazier
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Beth C. Tully
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen S. Tang
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dina Dilorenzo
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Francesca A. Bartlett
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ted Harris
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ted Walsh
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David L. Hammer
Associate Vice President & Treasurer
Treasurer, Interim Vice President F & A → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Associate Vice President & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$98K (2019) → $237K (2025)
Frank A. Roth
General Counsel & Secretary
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$421K (2019) → $485K (2025)
Georgette C. Phillips
Dean, Coll. Bus. & Econ.
Dean, College of Bus & Econ → Dean, Coll. Bus. & Econ., 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$478K (2019) → $537K (2025)
John D. Simon
Professor & Former President
President → Professor, 2023
Professor → Professor & Former President, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$968K (2019) → $161K (2025)
John W. Welty
Provost & West Reg. Officer
Vice Provost & Western Region → Vice Prov & Western Reg., 2022
Vice Prov & Western Reg. → Provost & West Reg. Officer, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$423K (2019) → $474K (2025)
Kristin Agatone
Chief Investment Officer
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$941K (2019) → $1.4M (2025)
Paul Brockman
Professor
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$445K (2019) → $536K (2025)
Stephen P. Deweerth
Dean & P.c.rossin Coll of Eng
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$412K (2019) → $456K (2025)
Robert A. Flowers
Dean, Coll. Arts & Sci.
Dean, College Arts & Sciences → Dean, Coll. Arts & Sci., 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$293K (2020) → $375K (2025)
Nathaniel N. Urban
Provost
Provost → Provost & Interim President, 2022
Provost & Interim President → Provost, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$263K (2021) → $733K (2025)
Michael J. Todd
Vice President Finance & Administrator
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$193K (2023) → $272K (2025)
Christine Cook
Vice President Finance & Administration
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$428K (2025)
Kathleen Hanley
Professor
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$425K (2025)
Jordan Hitch
Vice Chair & Board of Trustees
Trustee → Vice Chair & Board of Trustees, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Lewnes
Vice Chair & Board of Trustees
Trustee → Vice Chair & Board of Trustees, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (48)
- Former: Patrick V. Farrell (2019–2024) — Professor & Former Provost
- Former: Jay Clayton (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Julie A. Frehafer (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Nayar Nandkumar (2024) — Professor
- Former: Frank E. Walsh III (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Joseph E. Buck (2019–2023) — Vice President & Advancement
- Former: Maria L. Chrin (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Patricia A. Johnson (2019–2023) — Vice President Finance & Administrator
- Former: Richard R. Verma (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Amy E. Weaver (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Lauren M. Manduke (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: John P. Coulter (2019–2022) — Professor
- Former: Kevin L. Clayton (2019–2022) — Chairman Board of Trustees
- Former: Lia Iacocca-Assad (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Mark V. Mactas (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Philip B. Sheibley (2019–2022) — Vice Chair Board of Trustees
- Former: Deidre M. Martin (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Jill E. Triani (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Anne R. Kline (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Craig H. Benson (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Denise M. Blew (2019–2021) — Assistant Vice President Finance, Assistant Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Edward Ramos (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Patrick A. Fischer (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Peter A. Morales (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Robert W. Buckheit III (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Martin Harmer (2021) — Professor
- Former: Andrew T. Woodward (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Cameron Wesson (2019–2020) — Interim Dean, Coll Arts & Sci.
- Former: Daniel Lopresti (2019–2020) — Professor
- Former: Gary K. Chan (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Karen O'Donnell Vandergoot (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Nicholas P. Bigelow (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Paul D. Bosco (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Peter C. Diamond (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Robert L. Brown III (2019–2020) — Vice Chair Board of Trustees
- Former: Whitney Witt (2020) — Dean & College of Health
- Former: Brad E. Scheler (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Dennis E. Singleton (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Donald E. Hall (2019) — Dean, College of Arts & Scienc
- Former: Francis J. Ingrassia (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Gary M. Sasso (2019) — Dean & College of Education
- Former: Jane P. Jamieson (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Jennifer S. Gonzalez (2019) — Trustee
- Former: John J. Vresics Jr. (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Joseph R. Perella (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Karen S. Schaufeld (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Stephen K. Klasko (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Tara I. Stacom (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $1.4M, to Kristin Agatone (Chief Investment Off.). 15 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Lehigh University
How much does Lehigh University give each year?
Lehigh University gave $8.9M across 48 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $7.0M across 47 grants.
What is Lehigh University's typical grant size?
Lehigh University's median grant in 2025 was $82,571, and its average grant was $185,979, across 48 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lehigh University that year got $46K on average.
Where does Lehigh University give grants?
Lehigh University's top state is Pennsylvania, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Michigan (13%) and Virginia (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (5 grants), Bethlehem, PA (4 grants), Philadelphia, PA (3 grants) and Atlanta, GA (2 grants).
Who are Lehigh University's largest grantees?
Lehigh University's largest 2025 grantees include Carnegie Mellon University ($1,198,295), Ohio State University ($1,192,148) and University of Virginia ($1,089,138), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Lehigh University?
Lehigh University reported $3.5B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $840.1M.
What does Lehigh University fund?
Lehigh’s stated mission emphasizes research prominence, transferable learning across disciplines, strategic risk-taking, social, environmental, and economic sustainability, partnerships with alumni and communities, and a diverse, inclusive, and financially accessible environment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lehigh University?
Lehigh University has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check lehigh.edu for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Lehigh University's EIN?
Lehigh University's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 24-0795445. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 25, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 30, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 28, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 16, 2024)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lehigh University's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lehigh University funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lehigh-university-morg_0dddd3b1400e4b0a858f847e90c3bbd5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_240795445_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lehigh University funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lehigh-university-morg_0dddd3b1400e4b0a858f847e90c3bbd5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Lehigh University's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Lehigh University down — hundreds of funders to go?